Automatic feeder.



No. 642,184. Patented Ian. 30, I900. J. P. WEHRER.

AUTOMATIC FEEDER.

-Applicntion filed June 28. 1899.-

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

"No Model.)

I: :II -IPHHHHH mil/rel 19029109 m: scams PETERS cav Pumouma, wnsmuummuN0. (M2084. P atBntBd Jan. 30, 1900. .r. P. WE'HRER. AUTOMATIC FEEDER.

(Application filed June 28, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

No. 642,!84. Patented Jan. 30, I900.

J. P. WEHREB.

AUTOMATIC FEEDER.

(Application filed June 28, 1899.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 tries.

JOHN PETER VVEIIRER, OF LA CROSSE, \VISOONSIN.

AUTOMATIC FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 642,184, dated January30, 1900.; Application filed June 28,1899. Serial No. 722,206, (NoniodelJ To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .1 OHN PETER WEHRER, a citizen of the United States,residing at La Crosse, in the county of La Crosse and State of\Visconsin, have invented a new and useful Automatic Feeder, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic feeders for mills which are employedfor use in connection particularly with roller-machines in a flour-mill,where an automatic feed of the stock thereto is necessary.

The main object of this invention is to improve the construction offeeders of this char acter and to reduce the number of working parts,while at the same time producing a machine capable of providing an evenand regular disposition of the stock to mills with a regulable slowerspeed than is possible in similar feeders heretofore devised, andespecially in feeders of the class disclosed in my former patent, No.535,429, and also in application for patent, Serial No. 595,476, filedJune 13, 1896. In the accomplishment of these objects the machinefurther provides for the positive separation of foreign substancessuchas nails, bolts, &c.-from the stock or flour that is run through thefeeder. The invention is therefore primarily intended to embody amaterial improvement upon the entire construction and make-up of themachine set forth in my above'referred-to former patent, as well as thedevice disclosed by the application specified.

\Vith these and other objects in View, which will readily appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in thenovel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafterfullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central verticallongitudinal sectional view of an automatic feeder embodying theimproved features. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of one end ofthe machine, showing the interior mechanism in elevation. Fig. 3 is atransverse vertical section, taken through another plane, of one end ofthe machine and looking in a different direction, part of the casingonly being shown, and illustrating particularly a deflector. Fig. 4 is alongitudinal vertical section of a portion of one end of the machine,showing parts in a different position. Fig. 5 is a detail perspectiveView of one of the regulating-gates and attachments therefor. Fi 6 is adetail perspective view of one of the inclined separating-sieves. Fig. 7is a detail sectional view showing the guards of the mote-box and theircut-away portions and the part coacting therewith.

Correspondingreference characters are employed in the several views toindicate similar parts.

The casing l is open at its bottom and adapted to be arranged over aroller flour or similar mill for the purpose of evenly distributing thestock thereto, and at its opposite ends said casing is provided withdoors 2, having glass panels that admit of convenient access to theinterior of the casing for adjusting the mechanism, which isentirelyinclosed, and also affording means for exposing to View theautomatic feed devices within the casing. The casing 1 has alongitudinally-vibrating feed-pan 3 mounted therein, which has attachedrigidly to each of its corners 4 the lower end of a spring-metalhanger-strap 5, the upper end of the latter being secured to anadjustable supporting-block 6 by means of a clamp-bolt 7, passedtransversely through the said block and the upper end of thespring-strap. The opposite ends of the bolt 7 work in slots 8 in angledclamp-plates 9, arranged at each side of the block 6 and bolted to theinner side of the casing 1 close to the top thereof, said angle-p1atesforming guides to retain the block 6 readily in position and allow thesame to be properly adjusted up and down to vary the elevation of thefeed-pan Each of the adjustable supporting-blocks of each hanger-strap 5at the corners of the feedpan has fitted in its upper end a screw rod10, projecting upwardly through the top of the casing and having thereonopposite winged or thumb nuts 12 and 13, which act, respectively, asadjusting and jam nuts and by means of which each block may be raised orlowered and correspondingly affect the feed-pan attached to the straps5. lhe adjusting means just described are partially located within theeasing and on the upper exterior portion and may be readily varied tochange the elevation of the pan or modify its adjustment, and themetallic straps suspending the said pan permit the latter to freely anduniformly vibrate within the casing when motion is imparted thereto.

To positively vibrate the feed-pan within the casing, the latter hasrigidly secured to its opposite sides,near one end, the lower portionsof shaker-bars 14, which are firmly connected to the sides of the panand project through and work in slots 15, formed in the top of thecasing at opposite sides. The ends of the shaker-bars 14 that projectover the top of the casing have adjustably fitted thereto, as at 16, theends of eccentric pitmen 17, which are yielding in nature and have theiropposite ends provided with journal-boxes 18, clamped onshaft-eccentrics 19 of a transverse drive-shaft 20, arranged above thetop of the casing at one end and journaled at its opposite ends inbearing-boxes 21, supported at the upper terminals of bearing-brackets22, fastened to the casing at opposite sides. The said drive-shaft 20 isadapted to have a suitable pulley or other analogous device keyedthereto to receive a belt for transmitting motionZtO the said shaft, andthereby actuate the several movable parts of the feeder. The pitmen 17are preferably made of suitable spring material, which is necessary inView of their rigid connection at one end to the upper ends of theshaker-bars 14, as will be readily understood by those skilled in theart.

The longitudinally vibrating or swinging feed-pan 3 essentiallycomprises the opposite parallel pan sides 24, a central transverseupright partition -board connecting the sides 24 intermediate of theirends, and opposite inclined bottom boards 26 also connect the saidopposite sides 24 and decline toward the opposite ends of the pan fromthe said central upright partition-board. In the present invention theopposite inclined bottom boards 26 have a gradual downward slope fromthe partition-board and are supported by opposite side strips 27 andtransverse end boards 28. The said bottom boards 26 are of considerablewidth and their opposite end edges overhang the transverse end boards,as at 29, the said end boards being secured to end supports 30, whichextend below the same and have attached thereto space-strips 31 at asuitable distance below the upper over hanging edges of the bottomboards 26. The outer surfaces of the space-strips 31 are inclined andextend down to angularly-disposed feed-board sections 32, whichterminate in ledges 33. The space-strips 31, feedboard sections 32, andledges 33 are held by the supports 30 and transverse end strips 28,portions of the said devices being also rested upon each other, and bythe arrangement of the said strips 31 and feed-board sections 32 theflour is thrown out or directed toward the outer portion of the ledges33. The inner rails 34 of screens or sieves 35 are movably held bet-weenthe overhanging edges 29 of the bottom boards 26 and the upper edges ofthe space-strips 31, the outer rails 36 of said screens or sieves beingrested upon the upper edges of transverse supports 37, extending acrossthe lower portion of the opposite ends of the pan 3 and connecting thesides of the latter. The screen or sieve is shown in detail in Fig. 6and in the present instance preferably includes a plurality of rods 38,closely arranged and secured to the opposite rails 34 and 36. The outerrail 36 has an inclined edge 39, which is intended to prevent acongregation or collection of the material that passes through thescreen or sieve at such point, as it will be understood that theinclined edge will be more quickly freed from any of the flour ormaterial that passes through the screen that has a tendency to lodgethereon than if the said edge were straight, and this specialconstruction is materially aided in carrying out its function by thevibratory movement of the pan. To the outer surface of the outer rail 36a depending flange 40 is firmly connected, and secured to the saidflange are downwardly-extending hooks 41, having their entrance-throats42 above the lower end and opening out at one side, the throats beingarranged for convenience in attaching the hooks at the outer edges andcommunicating with the angular seat-openings 43, which extend in thedirection of the hooks from the flange 40. The flange 40 and books 41extend over the outer surface of the transverse supports 37, and fromthe latter screw-studs 44 project out- Wardly and are caused to enterthe throats 42 of the hooks 41 and the openings of the said hooks, withwhich the said throats communicate. After the studs 44 are thus arrangedin relation to the books 41 clampingnuts 45 are applied thereover, andthe sieves or screens are thus held in firm connection with the oppositelower end portions of the pan 3 and subject to removal at any timedesired or adjustment at their outer ends by loosening the nuts 45 andchanging the position of the hooks 41 relatively to the studs 44. Inremoving the screens or sieves 35 the nuts 45 are first disconnectedfrom the studs 44 and the hooks 41 cleared from said studs. The outerrails 36 can then be raised from the supports 37, and this operation isnecessary to disengage the inner rails 43 from under the overhanging endedges 29 of the bottom boards 26. The close joint or fitting of theinner rails 34 with the said overhanging edges of the boards 26 preventsthe collection of dust or a deposit ofmaterial under the said boards.

The rods 38 of the screens or sieves 35 are preferably formed of wire ofsuitable gage,

and the said sieves or screens are disposedin such relation to theopposite end edges of the bottom boards 26 as to permit the stock orflour to freely pass therethrough, while at the same time serving toseparate from such stock nails, screws, or other foreign substances ICCIIO

which are delivered over the outer ends of the sieves by reason of theinclination thereof and the vibration of the feed-pan in the endmoteboxes 46. The said boxes 46 are arranged directly under the oppositeends of the pan within the casing and are provided with hingedscreen-bottoms 47, which rest on cross supporting wires or analogousdevices 48 when in lowered position. When the screens 47 are down, theyreceive and hold foreign substances discharged from the sieves orscreens 35,which vibrate'thereover, while at the same time allowing theflour and dust to pass through to the rolls of the mill being fed. Saidboxes 46 are fitted within the ends of the casing 1 below the doors 2and in the present instance have opposite end guards 49, which extendsome distance above the lower walls of the said doors 2 and haveinwardlyinclined upper edges 50. The guards project below the boxesproper, and the inner walls of the said boxes are formed by transversestrips 51, which are secured to said guards and stand far enough abovethe level of the sieves 48 when down to establish acontaining-receptacle, but do not come close enough to the underadjacent portions of the pan 3 to in any wayinterfere with the vibratorymotion of the latter. The guards 49 may be fastened to the casing in anysuitable manner, and removable devices may be used for such purpose,which is an obvious expedient. The inner edges of the guards are cutaway for a portion of their length, as at 52, to make it easier toremove the screens or sieves 35 or for effecting an adjustment of thelatter to vary the pitch, and on the upper inwardly-inclined edges ofthe said guards a deflector 53 is adjustably mounted, and consists of aboard of greater width than the upper portions of the said guards andprojecting over the outerparts or ends of the screens 35. Thesedeflectors 53 are adjustable on the guards by having keyhole-slots 54formed therein, through which set-screws or analogous devices 55 extendfrom the upper edges of the said guards. The object of these deflectorsis to prevent dust from flying out and settling on the contents of the1note-boxes 46, and by their inclination the said deflectors throw thematerial that may accumulate thereon back to the screens 35, and byadjusting the deflectors 53 the inner ends thereof can be brought nearerto or drawn farther away from the outer portions of the screens 35, andto still more effectively prevent the settling of dustin the moteboxesdust-cloths 56 are attached to the illner edges of said deflectors anddepend to within a short distance of the outer ends of the said screens.These dust-cloths 56 are slitted transversely, as will be understood,and between the lower edges of the same and the outer ends of the saidscreens sufficient space will be left to allow the free passage offoreign substances from the screens into the mote-boxes. As a furtherobstruction to the return from or entrance of dust into the saidmoteboxes dust-cloths 57 a are attached to lower portions of the outersides of the supports 37 and depend close to the upper edges of thetransverse strips 51, thereby closing the space between the said stripsand the adjacent under portions of the opposite ends of the pan 3. Atany time that a full or better access is desired to the interior of thecasing the deflectors 50 may be disconnected from the guards 49, and thesieve 47 can at any time be elevated when its use is not desired, whichwould depend upon the condition of the stock or flour passing throughthe feeder, and it is self-evident that if there be no foreign materialtherein the services of the moteboxes can be dispensed with.

In order to make a plain feeder out of the device in its presentconstruction, the screens 35 are removed, as well as the deflectors 50,and the sieve 47 elevated, or the guards 49 and other parts may bedetached to provide a full clearance at the opposite ends of the pan 3.

The vibrating feed-pan 3 receives the stock at the opposite sides of thecentral vertical partition-board 25 from short depending feed boxes orchutes 57, arranged transversely within the casing and are of a lengthsubstantially equal to the width of the said feed-pan between itsopposite sides. The feed-boxes are arranged in such manner as to havetheir lower open sides project within the upper portion of the feed-panat both sides of the central vertical partition-board, and the upperopen sides of the said feed boxes or chutes are fitted to the under sideof the top of the casing and under top feedopenings 58in the bottom ofthe hopper-box 59. This hopperbox is mounted directly on top of thecasing over the said feed-openings 58 and has therein a centraltransverse pointed depending guard 60, arranged between the two openings58, and thereby allowing the stock to freely enter both of the latterfeed-openings and the feed boxes or chutes directly thereunder, and whenthe feeder is employed in running two different kinds of stock thehopper-box 59 has arranged therein a suitable vertical partition-board61 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) and divides the interior of saidhopper-box into two compartments-one, respectively, for each kind ofstock. The hopperbox 50 receives the material or stock to be fed to themill in the ordinary manner and is preferably provided in opposite sideswith suitable doors 62, having glass panels, for the purpose of accessand inspection.

The flow of stock over the opposite feedboards 26 ot' the vibratingfeed-pan 3 is automatically regulated by means of self-adjustingfeed-regulating gates 63, arranged to work within opposite portions ofthe feed-pan near or over the outer end edges 29 of the feedboards 26.Each feed-regulating gate 51 is pivotally swung from the lower portionof the front wall or side of the opposite feed boxes or chutes 57, andas the construction and arrangement are duplicated on adjacent oppositeends only one will be referred to for the purpose of illustration.

In the outer sides of each feed box or chute 57 a rock-shaft 64 isjournaled in end hangerboxes 65, secured to said side or wall of thefeed box or chute. On the said rock-shaft opposite sleeves 66 are adjustably secured by setscrews 67 and have gate-arms 68 extendingdownwardly therefrom and rigidly attached to the main gate-support 69,which has an inwardly-extending top strip 70 and slots 71 standingtransversely of the body thereof at suitable distances apart. An adjusting-board 72 is movably applied to the inner face of the maingate-support 69, and therefrom headed screwstuds or adjusting pins 73project through the slots 71 and washers 74 on the outer face of thesaid gate support 69. Through the medium of these studs or pins theadjusting-board 72may be shifted and held at varying depending distancesbelow the lower edge of the said gate-support and will be prevented fromrising above a predetermined point by the ledge-strip 70. Just insidethe points of attachment of the gatearms 68 to the outer face of themain gatesupport 69 shoe-slides 75 are secured and have screw-stems 76extending about centrally outward therefrom. The outer faces of the saidshoe-slides 75 are beveled, being declined inwardly from their lowerportions toward the upper part of the gate-support, and thereby bringingtheir greatest projection at the lower ends. On each shoe-slide 74 aguide 77 is secured and consists of upper and lower pairs of outstandingarms 78, which are spaced apart from each other, and therein is movablymounted a shoe 79, having a slot 80, of elongated form, through whichthe shank 76 is adapted to pass. The slot 80 is longitudinally disposed,and the outer face of the shoe is straight, while the inner face isbeveled at an angle reverse to the declination of the bevel of the faceof the shoe-slides 75. The arms 78 of the guide 77 embrace the oppositesides of the shoe 79 and prevent it from turning laterally, but permitsufficient freedom or sliding action of .the shoe to afford ready meansfor adjustment and of a character which will operate to extend thedevice carried by the shoe farther outward from the main gate-support oralso permit an inward movement of such device toward said support.

The device that is applied to the outer faces of the opposite shoes 79is a regulator 81, consisting of a flat strip having a lower innerrounded edge 82 and transverse slots 83 near opposite ends, throughwhich the shanks 76 extend and receive washers and winged butts 84 toclamp the said regulator in adjusted position and by the bindingpressure thereon on the shoes prevent the latter also from having anymovement whatever. It is preferred that the lower edges of theregulators 81 stand over the overhanging outer edges of the feedboards26, the upper surfaces of said outer edges being formed with curvedbevels 85 to permit an easy overflow of the material from the saidboards. The said regulators spread the stock delivered from thefeed-boards and form a thin layer, which is regulable in accordance withthe distance that the lower edge of each regulator is from the outeredge of the feed-board, and by moving the inner adjustable board 7 2 thestock coming through each feed box or chute 57 is deflected or thrownback toward the partition-board 25 to an extent dependent upon thedepression of the said adjustable board 72. This will prevent the jamfrom concentrating completely against the regulator 81 and permit thelatter to more effectually carry out its function of spreading the stockfed thereover over the outer edge of the feed-board below. Theinterposition of the shoes 79 and the shoe-slides 78 between theregulator 81 and the main gate-support 69 provides means for adjustingthe said regulator evenly, and when the said regulator is moved itsposition is not only varied in a vertical plane, but simultaneously inan outward extent from the said main gatesupport, as previouslyindicated. During the adjustment of the regulator 81 one side should bekept tight to prevent choking, and to control the outward movement ofthe entire gate, as composed of the parts just specified, special formsof devices are employed.

On the middle portion of the rock-shaft a sleeve 86 is adj nstablysecured by a set-screw 87 and has outwardly-extending diverging arms 88with elongated angularly-disposed slotted seats 89 on their terminalsdisposed horizontally and arranged in parallel relation. Depending fromthe top of the casing 1, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are a pairof posts 90 and 91, both of which extend through the seats 89 on thearms 88. On the post 90 a set-collar 92 is adjustably fastened and has asocket 93, from which a coiled spring 94 depends and attached at itslower terminal to a stop-plate 95, through which said post 90 extendsand at a distance above the adjacent seat 89. On the post 91 aset-collar 96 is adjustably fastened, and between the same and theadjacent seat 89 a coiled spring 97 surrounds the said post 91 and hasits opposite terminals loose. This spring holds the entire gate down inproper position after a predetermined adjustment has been obtained, andto limit or compensate for a change in such adjustment a set-collar 98is mounted on the post 91 below the seat 89,through which said postextends. Therefore it will be understood that the tension of the spring97 may be varied by moving the set-collar 96 in a downward direction,and the entire gate may have its angle changed relatively to thefeed-board below by moving the set-collar 98 upwardly or downwardly onthe post 91 below the seat 89. The spring 97 is used to obtain therequired pressure to retain the material or stock back of the gate ineach instance in such IIC manner as to make it flow evenly the fulllength of the regulator 81 or under the entire gate. The pressure of theinfiowing stock behind the gate will of course tilt the latter upwardlyagainst the resistance of the spring 97 and might overcome the saidresistance alone with disastrous results, but is checked by thesuspended spring 91L, which checks the amount of flow to the rolls, andas the seat 89 under the plate 95 rises and contacts with said plate thespring 94 will not give, but keep the same position, and thereby stopthe upward movement of the seats and through the arms 88 check therotation of the rockshaft 64:, and consequently the outward movement ofthe gate as an entirety. The spring 91 must be stiff enough so as not togive or yield when the stock is filling up behind the gate; but itsdegree of resistance should not he so intense as to cause a differencein the vibration of the gate and change or modify the flow of the stockunder the regulator.

The regulator 81 has a pair of slots 99 formed therein inside of thelocation of the slots 83 and which are large enough to permit ascrew-driver or other implement to be inserted therethrough and loosenor tighten the headed studs or screw-pins 7 3 directlyin rear thereof.This will permit the adjustment of said screw studs or pins withoutmoving the regulator.

In the operation of the machine the stock to be fed to the millaccumulates within the feed boxes or chutes directly in rear of theadjusting-boards 72 of the feed-regulating gates and irrespective of thespeed of vibration of the feed-pan. It will be observed that when asufficient amount of stock is accumulated the weight thereof willoperate to open the feed-regulatin g gates and relieve the pressure,after which the gates will close under the influence of the spring 94,acting in conjunction with the spring 97 in the manner heretoforespecified, and will allow a regular and even flow of stock to be workedoutward under the lower edges of the regulators 81 of the gates and overthe outer beveled edges 85 of the feed-boards 26. From the said outeredges of the feed-boards the stock and any foreign substances that maybe fed in therewith falls upon the screen 35, and the said foreignsubstances-such as nails, screws, bolts, or other material that is toolarge to pass through the screen-will be fed into the mote-boxes 46,while the purified or cleansed stock passes downwardly through thescreen and out over the free edges of the ledge-board downwardly fromopposite sides of the pan 3 to the rolls below.

It is obvious that the flow of the stock under the gates must beregulated or controlled; but in feediugunills there should always be asufficient amount passed through the feeder to overflow the mills orfeed as much thereto as the rolls can take without choking. As

soon as any extra accumulation or overflow of the stock has been workedunder the regulating-gates the said gates automatically resume theirlowered position and the flow will continue to be regular under thecontrol of the springs 94 and 97.

To suit different conditions of stock, it may be found necessary attimes to vary the spring tension on the gates or permit the latter tohave a normal open position greater than would be afiorded by theadjustment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. To accomplish this,the sleeve 86 maybe turned on the rock-shaft Gl or the sleeves 66, fromwhich the gate-arms extend, be likewise adjusted 011 said shaft. It willbe seen from this adjustment that almost every contingency may be metand the feed regulated at will. Whatever the adjustment of the variousparts of the gates may be the vibration of the pan will also carry aneven flow of stock thereunder, inasmuch as the stock cannot resist thetendency to pass out under the gates, as the vibrations of the pan areinward and outward with a tendency to move slightly upward, therebycausing the stock to work against the lower portion of the regulator 81,and in securing this operation only a slow motion of the feed-pan isrequired.

Changes in the form, proportions,and minor details of construction maybe resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention orsacrificing any of the advantages incident thereto.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In anautomatic feederfor mills, an openbottom casing, a feed-pan vibratinglymounted therein and provided with opposite open ends and feed-boardsdeclining in reverse directions toward said ends, the outer ends of saidfeed-boards being provided with curved bevels and projecting beyondtheir supports to form seats immediately below, and screens adjustablyand re movably mounted in the opposite ends of the feed-pan and havingtheir inner rails normally located directly under the said outer ends ofthe feedboards, the outer rails of the said screens also havingdepending slotted holding devices to engage projections on the oppositeends of the feed-pan to maintain the said screens in fixed adjustedpositions.

2. In an automatic feeder for mills, a casing having an open bottom, afeed-pan vibratingly mounted in the said casing and having opposite openends, screens in the feed-pan adjacent the opposite open ends thereof,and adjustable, inwardly-inclined deflectors supported in the ends ofthe casing above and adapted to be projected partially over the saidscreens.

3. In an automatic feeder for mills, an openbottom casing, a food-panvibratingly mounted in the casing and having opposite open ends,mote-boxes in opposite ends of the easin g operatively related to theopen ends of the feed-pan, and inwardly-inclined, adjustable deflectorslocated above the said mote-boxes IIO and adapted to be partiallyprojected over the adjacent open ends of the feed-pan.

4. In an automatic feeder for mills, an openbottom casing, a feed-panvibratingly mounted' therein and having opposite open ends, screenslocated in the opposite end portions of the said feed-pan, andinwardly-inclined, adjustable deflectors adapted to be partiallyprojected over the said screens and having dust-cloths on the inneredges thereof.

5. The combination with a feed chute or box,in a feeder for mills,of aregulating device comprising a gate having a rocking movement, andyielding devices in operable relation to the said gate, one of saiddevices having a continual contact with a portion of the gate andexerting a downward pressure thereon to resist upward movement of thegate and the other device normally out of contact with any part of thegate and operating to increase the resistance to the upwardmovement ofthe gate beyond a predetermined distance.

6. In an automatic feeder for mills, an openbottom casing, a feed-panvibratingly and ad-.

justably mounted in said casing and having opposite open ends, screensadjustably and movably mounted in the said opposite ends of thefeed-pan, and mote-boxes in the opposite ends of the casing, havingguards rising therefrom, with the inner edges cut away to facilitate theremoval and adjustment of the said screens.

7. In an automatic feeder for mills, a casing havinga feed chute or boxextending downwardly therein, a longitudinally-vibrating feed-panmounted in the casing under the feed chute or box, a regulating-gatemovably and adjustably connected to the outer portion of the feed chuteor box, a resilient device for normally holding the gate down against apredetermined pressure or feed, and an auxiliary yielding device adaptedto coact with the said resilient device to limit the upward or openingmovement of the gate.

8. In an'automaticfceder for mills, an openbottom casing, a feed-panvibratingly mounted in the said casing, a feed chute or box dependinginto the said pan, a regulatinggate movably attached to the outerportion of the saidfeed chute or box and comprising a freelymovable maingate or support and an outer regulator thereon, and adj usting-shoesinterposed between the opposing faces of the main gate-support andregulator, the said shoes having straight faces bearing against one ofthe latter parts and inclined faces bearing against the other.

9. In an automatic feeder formills, an openbottom casing, alongitudinally-vibrating feed-pan arranged Within the casin g and havinga feed-board, a feed chute or box above the feed-board, a rock-shaft onthe outer portion of the said feed chute or box, and a gate attached tosaid rock-shaft and comprisinga main gate-support having slides thereonwith beveled faces and a regulator provided with shoes to adjustablyengage the said slides and operating to project the said regulator awayfrom the support.

10. In-an automatic feeder for mills, an open-bottom casing, a feed-panvibratingly mounted in said casing and having a feedboard therein, afeed chute or box depending into the casing over the feed-board of thepan,.a rock-shaft attached to the outer portion of the said feed chuteor box, arms extending outwardly from the said shaft and having engagingterminals, a regulating-gate connected to the shaft, posts dependingfromthe casing through the engaging terminals of the said arms, and springson the said posts, one of which exerts a downward tension to hold thegate against a predetermined feedpressure, and the other serving as astop to limit the opening movement of the said gate.

11. In an automatic feeder for mills, an open-bottom casing, a feed-panvibratingly mounted therein and having a feed-board, a feed chute or boxdepending from the casing over the said feed-board, a movable supportingdevice on the outer portion of the said feed chute or box, a gateconnected to the said supporting device and comprising a maingate-support,a back adj usting-board,i11clined slides at oppositeportions of the said gatesupport having screw-stems projecting outwardlytherefrom, a regulator provided with inclined shoes to engage the saidslides, and openings through which the said screw-stems extend, andyielding devices for controlling the opening movement of the gate.

12. In an automatic feeder for mills, an open-bottom casing, a feed-panvibratingly mounted therein and having a feed-board declining toward oneend and provided with an outer curved bevel edge, a feed chute or boxabove and leading to the said feed-board, a gate having a freely-movablesuspension from said feed chute or box and provided with an outeradjustable member having an inner face movable inwardly toward andoutwardly from the remaining portion of the gate and thereby madeshiftable toward or away from the outer curved bevel edge of the saidfeedboard, and shoes interposed between the said member and the adjacentpart of the gate having straight faces on one side and beveled faces onthe opposite side.

.13. In an automatic feeder for mills,a casing having an open bottom, afeed-pan vibratingly and adjustably mounted therein and provided with afeed-board, a feed chute or box leading to the said feed-board, movablearms on said feed chute or box, a main gatesupport connected-to saidarms and provided with slides having outer beveled faces and outstandingscrew-threaded stems, gates on the said slides, a regulator havingslotted shoes to engage the said slides and receive the screw-stems,andclamping devices to hold the said stems.

14. In an automatic feeder for mills,a casing IIC having an open bottomand an end door or 210- I above the plane of the outer end of the saideess opening, a longitudinaliy-vibrating feedscreen. pan arranged in thecasing and having a feed- In testimony that I claim the foregoing asboard, ascreen at the end of the pan, to which my own I have heretoaffixed my signature in 5 the said feed-board leads, a regulating-gatethe presence of two witnesses.

adjustabiy suspended over the outer portion A v 1 of the feed-board, a1note-box below the outer I JOHN PErl ER WVEHRER' \Vitnesses: iALEXANDER WANNER, l FRANK J. STANGL.

end of the pan and provided With a hinged sieve-bottom, and a deflectorhaving an in- [0 Ward inclination and adjustabiy mounted

